Dedicated to the Transgender Community

Roses All Around Me

Lost roses in a gardened room

Stood gazing out a windowed pane.

And waiting for their chance to bloom,

Hoping (as flowers do) to gain

Belief that they are beautiful.

The roses felt the Garden’s scorn

When they refused to take their place.

Then shed themselves of leaf and thorn

And showed themselves (all stem and face)

As something new and beautiful.

They could not make the Garden see

That worth is not the way you’re born,

But how you live when you feel free.

And never again have to mourn

That no one thinks you’re beautiful.

There are roses all around me

And they are beautiful (I know).

They bloom whenever they are free

But they’ve so very far to go

(I hope they know they’re beautiful).

One day I’ll mourn the Garden’s loss,

After the final rose’s bloom.

When all is grey from winter’s frost,

And Heaven saves from final doom,

Lost roses, all quite beautiful.

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Inspired by some of the most courageous

and genuine people I have met.

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